City Council members say the Department of Education (DOE) plans to lay off hundreds of school aides sparking protests from outraged parents.Students and parents joined

PROSPECT HEIGHTS - City Council members say the Department of Education (DOE) plans to lay off hundreds of school aides sparking protests from outraged parents.

Students and parents joined public officials at M.S. 571 today to protest the planned layoffs of nearly 800 school aides city-wide.

Union President Santos Crespo says parent-community coordinators, health aides and family workers are also on the chopping block. He says by removing these basic but essential employees, the mayor and school chancellor are allowing the city's public schools to fail.